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WLRA-WTIC Legislative Priorities

Tourism Helps Grow and Strengthen Wyoming’s Economy

We Support Governor Gordon’s Recommendation For the Wyoming Tourism Board

Governor Gordon has recommended a flat biennium budget of $13 million annually for the Wyoming Tourism Board.In addition Governor Gordon has recommended one time additional funding of $200,000 for PR efforts in Mexico (Mexico is the #2 international inbound market to the U.S, National Parks rank in the top 5 attractions for Mexican visitors and the average Mexican visitor spends 6 nights in the U.S. per visit)

In 2018 the fiscal impact of travel to Wyoming’s revenues was significant.

Domestic and international visitors in Wyoming spent $3.8 billion.

Wyoming welcomed 8.9 million overnight visitors.

Visitor spending positively affected Wyoming’s economy by generating $196 million in local and state tax revenues.

For every $1.00 that the state of Wyoming invests in tourism marketing we receive approximately $10.00 back in local and state taxes

32,290 people in Wyoming go to work every single day because of the tourism industry.

$842 more in taxes per household annually would be needed without the tax revenue generated by the travel and tourism industry. This equates to: one house payment, a month of groceries, or a year of auto insurance, etc.

Tourism benefits local communities. The money the legislature invests each year gives us the opportunity to create jobs for local residents, provide long-term career growth options and make Wyoming a place people want to live.

We support the Wyoming Tourism Funding Account Bill- a 5% statewide lodging tax as an alternative-funding source for growing the visitor economy through the Wyoming Office of Tourism.

Removing the Wyoming Office of Tourism off of the states general fund will revert $26 million back to the state’s general fund per biennium and will facilitate increased growth within the states second largest generator of sales and use tax.

Wyoming’s statewide marketing program is currently funded at $13 million annually.This ranks 28th in the nation and is not competitive with our surrounding states.Colorado, Montana, Utah and even South Dakota all have dedicated funding sources that out compete Wyoming.

A 3% statewide lodging tax will generate approximately $19 million annually placing Wyoming on a significantly more competitive platform.

The 3% funding must be dedicated to tourism at a more competitive funding level.

The additional 2% will replace 2% of existing local option lodging tax and will revert back to local option lodging tax boards as a safety net protecting critical local promotion.

Local option lodging tax boards will still be able to renew up to an additional 2% local option lodging tax through a vote of the local governing body (county commissioners or city council)

80% of the revenue generated will be paid for by out of state visitors.